James County, known as "Old Jim" was organized in 1871 during the troubled reconstruction period following the Civil War.
In 1919 the country was dissolved and became part of Hamilton County. James County came to be known as "the lost county."
In March 2000, two sisters and a brother purchased the courthouse and gave it a new direction. It is now Mountain Oaks Wedding Chapel, the chapel offers full wedding services, and the chapel, formerly the old courtroom, can seat up to 150 guest, two reception rooms, a bride and groom dressing area the building is decorated in Victorian style antiques from the past that add to the charm of an antebellum mansion.
The Mountain Oaks Wedding Chapel is located just minutes from Chattanooga, Cleveland, Ringgold, and Dalton in the heart of Ooltewah. You can contact the new owners Sharron McCarthy and Karen Petty at 423-238-9333 to have the wedding of your dreams.